The period before the destruction of the temple: the iniquity and
hypocrisy of the Jews

Chapter 8 begins a new prophecy, which comprises several distinct
revelations, and extends to the close of chapter 19 (from the eighth
to the end of the eleventh being connected). Judah still existed at
Jerusalem, although many of them had already been carried into
captivity with Jehoiakim. It was not till five years later that the
temple was destroyed. It is the state of things at Jerusalem which is
judged in these chapters. The elders of Judah presented themselves
before the prophet, and Jehovah took this opportunity to shew him all
the enormities that would bring down judgment on the people. In the
prophecy of the preceding year God, by the mouth of the prophet, had
threatened Israel with the giving up of His sanctuary to the profane
(chap. 7: 20-22). Here Jehovah exhibits in detail the cause of this
judgment. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the prophet, and he was
taken in the visions of God to Jerusalem, and there in the courts and
the chambers, and in the gates, he was shewn every form of hateful and
defiling idolatry practised in Jehovah's own house by the elders and
others of Israel. If we compare the history of Jeremiah, and the
outward profession that was made -- the pretension that the law should
not perish from the priest, we shall understand the excessive iniquity
of the Jews and their hypocrisy.